Celtic harpist David Michael has been busking on Washington State Ferries for more than 17 years. A far-flung community has expressed concern over what they perceive to be unfair regulations which he says stop him from performing (as shown here) on the Port Townsend-Keystone route, though Michael says he will ride and play on the ferry this weekend. – Photo courtesy of David Michael
Harpist David Michael plucks peaceful Celtic music from his harp, yet he's never been so controversial.
Complainants critique him for steering potential customers away from the galley vendor and violating security regulations - two reasons the Port Townsend man must now comply with existing rules to perform aboard Washington State Ferries.
On the other side of the debate, Michael supporters have rallied to his cause, sending supportive emails and contacting WSF to express concern over stringent regulations.
Still, WSF has received and catalogued 20 general complaints criticizing onboard entertainment - including at least six citing the harpist.
One of the complaints recently filed citing Michael was written by an owner of CDX Corp. of Mukilteo, a vendor under contract with WSF. The text of the complaint suggests that Michael has hurt galley business onboard Washington State Ferries. Michael plays music on the opposite end of the vessel where the galley and vending machines are located.
It's a tough question: Where does one draw the line between public enjoyment, personal promotion, tradition, and public safety regulation in this day and age of Homeland Security?
Some options
News of Michael's severance from the Washington State Ferries has sparked a flurry of concern among locals and visitors alike. However, WSF insists that Michael has not been in any way banned from the ferries, saying that Michael has options for how to proceed.
"He can keep doing what he wants to do, but he has to do it in the manner other vendors do," said Marta Coursey, WSF director of communications.
Michael, a Celtic harpist, has been busking on the ferries - that is, playing music and accepting donations - for more than 17 years. Recently, two pointed complaints were filed discussing safety, equity and business concerns (see related information on page A 4 of the newspaper and below).
In total, there have been 19 complaints from passengers plus one complaint from an employee regarding public entertainment. Of these 20 complaints, six specified "harpist." One complainant stated, "Panhandler playing harp and soliciting for benefit, he left his personal belongings while he cruised the vessel to herd people to his stage area."
The other 16 complaints did not specifically cite a harpist but discussed issues ranging from Celtic or Irish music to line dancing to violin and cello. (One noted that music itself wasn't the problem, but the "smelly" transient playing it was cause for concern.)
The most recent two complaints led WSF to issue a "quick notice" to employees on Aug. 14, which ultimately reinforced pre-existing rules.
Michael says that due to his age, 55, and health - as well as the heft and fragility of his harp - he cannot take the harp off the ferry each time the boat docks. So he walked off the ferry like everyone else but left his harp onboard.
As such, Michael's actions violate U.S. Coast Guard rules. First, due to security concerns, a member of the public cannot leave baggage (such as Michael's harp) unattended onboard ferries. Secondly, a person may not receive payment for goods or services (such as CDs or entertainment) on the ferries without an appropriate vendor's permit.
Support
After his story went out over the wire, supporters of Michael's music took action.
Michael says he has received more than 300 sympathetic emails. The authors of many of these emails claim that they've also contacted WSF to voice negative opinions of the agency's crackdown.
Bob Mabery from Decatur, Ga., was one such supporter. In an email to Michael and WSF Customer Information Manager Susan Harris, Mabery wrote: "A suggestion: HIRE David Michael as a WSF Customer Relations Specialist at an annual salary of $1. As an employee, he would be exempt from fees, fares and repeated inspections. The return on investment from the resulting goodwill would be phenomenal."
Other emails were more vehement. "I want to say, emphatically, that these sanctions are appalling!" wrote Jennie Huber, who also emailed WSF and Michael.
The story has become a popular Internet discussion. The blog "Democratic Underground" received two dozen responses to a post describing Michael's situation.
"I feel much safer now, knowing we've finally gotten around to taking down the REAL terrorists," someone known as Mr_Jefferson_24 quipped.
Another poster who goes by the screen-name Gregorian noted, "You can't hold up a liquor store with a harp."
Yet another person joked, "At least he wasn't playing an accordion.... now THAT's a dangerous instrument."
Voices from other venues
The Leader has received about a half dozen letters to the editor on the subject.
Port Townsend resident John Newport wrote, "Through choosing to stringently enforce 'security' regulations to the Nth degree, without giving due consideration to the positive impact of Mr. Michael's concerts in providing soothing entertainment for ferry riders, while adding immensely to the quality of life in this community, I believe that WSF has unintentionally done a real disservice to everyone involved."
Other letters came from visitors to the region.
Lynn Zephryna from Bonny Doon, Calif., wrote: "As someone who is becoming a regular traveler to the Peninsula, I am saddened by the extraction of any quaint aspect of Port Townsend.... What a wonderful gift Michael gave to his community, and what a tragedy that this gift was ripped from the arms of Port Townsend and all those travelers. The ferry will still run. The water and views will still be lovely, but the silence will be deafening."
Seattle's KOMO-TV commentator Ken Schram appears to feel similarly. He gave the unflattering "Schrammie" award to Mike Anderson, executive director of Washington State Ferries.
"Don't you just love government bureaucracy? Good old unflinching, unyielding, inflexible government bureaucracy?" Schram said. "Heading up the Washington State Ferries system, Mike Anderson is the big kahuna that pulled the big plug on the little guy."
DOT position
WSF Director of Communications Marta Coursey acknowledges that the situation is regrettable but believes Coast Guard rules must be enforced.
"Mr. Michael does have options to stay on the vessel and continue to play," Coursey stated.
Coursey noted that if Michael wanted to play onboard a ferry - and not have to carry his harp off and on the boat - he could pay a fee of $200 per boat, per day (the going rate for the PT-Keystone route). According to the promotional activities policy, he would be restricted to a certain area of the boat and could not go around soliciting passengers. He would not be permitted to sell CDs or "engage in retail activity."
As another option, Michael is welcome to play for free, not sell CDs, and take his harp on and off the ferry at each stop.
In this case, Coursey said, "He would just be another member of the public. We have over 23 million people who we require to take their baggage off the ferry. As much as we would like to make an exception for a lovely musician, we just can't."
Coursey noted, "He could continue to pursue other options, and we're open to discussing that. We're basically saying he can't continue doing what he continued to do. He was promoting his own business, which was one of the issues."
According to Coursey, in order to sell CDs onboard the vessel, Michael would have to go through a state contracting process - a lengthy process involving competitive bidding.
Michael weighs in
Michael is hesitant to criticize WSF, which he says does "a heck of a service."
"I don't like to see them getting bad press," Michael said, "At the same time, I think it's really sad when people become so fearful for their jobs that they just throw common sense out the window."
But right now, Michael doesn't see a workable solution. He says the $200 fee won't work financially, because he still wouldn't be able to sell his CDs - leaving him with a net loss of money for busking on the ferries. As for the other option, he's already had one hernia that likely originated from too much harp toting.
Michael also questions why paying $200 would alleviate security concerns.
"It was an extreme position that they've taken," Michael said. "For all these years, the decision about letting me play has been a captain's discretion. The recent decree supersedes the captain's discretion and thereby constitutes an extreme position."
He added, "I think this is symbolic of the erosion of our civic life and culture.... when rigid rules are enforced without common sense."
Despite his severance from the ferries, Michael considers the recent controversy a largely positive experience.
Reflecting on why he played the ferry circuit for more than 17 years, he said: "[It's] the magic of a parent telling me that ever since their child heard me play all those years ago, he/she never stopped talking about it and they went on to get a harp and take lessons.... The magic of seeing a couple of seniors get up and waltz to my music.... The magic of watching the transformation come across the faces of those who take the time to listen.... some 50,000 a year."
He added, "It's a great honor to be part of such a wonderful community and I'm immensely appreciative. Thank you."
(Contact Lyndie at lynda.browning@gmail.com or 385-5100, ext. 108.)
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COMPLAINTS AGAINST HARPIST
Harpist steering people away from galley?
May 22, 2007:
Harpist plays music on the opposite end of the passenger deck. He greets passengers as they get onboard from stairways and directs them to his playing area. So many passengers don't have the chance to see the galley at all. Our food service workers are complaining to us that they are losing business; many potential customers. As we understand, harpist rides the boat back and forth many rides a day to play his music and sell his CD. This is something we didn't expect to have problems with. I hope this will help you address our requests.
Thanks,
Michael Cho
[one of principal owners of CDX Corp. of Mukilteo]
Treat harpist like other passengers, vendors
Aug 7, 2007:
I am writing to voice my dismay over a situation that the ferry system has tolerated on the PT/Keystone route. For the past few months, a musician who plays the harp has taken over the ferry as a concert/retail store space. It seems to be with the consent of the crew, as this musician is allowed to leave his large instrument, moneybox, and CD/DVD stock on the ferry when it docks while he disembarks and returns.
There are several reasons this should not be tolerated. Why is it that everyone else must take all their belongings off the ferry at each docking? I question the safety and security of allowing someone to bypass this rule. May I then assume that if a transient would like to store all their possessions onboard while they disembark, it would be acceptable? Are the ferries to be used as retail space? Should ferry passengers be unwillingly marketed to? While harp music is considered by most to be inoffensive, are the ferries in a position to act as censors for other buskers who wish to perform their music, comedy routines, or sell artwork?
I would like to hear the ferries' response to this issue. Thank you for listening to my concerns. Sincerely,
[Email address not disclosed because complainant was not a WSF employee and could not be contacted to approve name release prior to Leader press time.]
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Article comment by:
Jan and Craig Leary
One of the reasons my husband and I love to visit Port Townsend around Christmas time was to hear David Michael's beautiful harp music, on the ferry, during the trip over. It made the trip magical, relaxing and enjoyable no matter how rough the water might be and believe me it can get rough on that passage. The harp music seemed to calm everyone. I saw smiles and tears of happiness on so many faces. Now you want to take the music away? Harp music is well documented as healing, and we need healing in these tumultuous times. I pray that you will change your minds. I think David`s music only communicates goodwill for the ferries. As far as the food vendors, I saw many passengers enjoying a snack while listening to the music. No one loses. God Bless you David.
Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2007
Article comment by:
Jennie Huber
After reading the article in the Jefferson Co. Reader newspaper, I am struck by the utterly nonsensical response by the WSF administrators citing ALL TWENTY complaints - out of, how many ferry riders?? 50,000/23 million??!! What has gotten into the people in these positions that totally cave in to such a miniscule minority of malcontents and allow them to ruin the completely harmless enjoyment of the majority. It's absolutely gutless! As to the food vendors on board - do you think it's at all possible that the reason they are losing money (so claimed) is because the food is so outrageously expensive and not that good? What a shame that passengers choose culture over calories! I whole heartedly support the solution of hiring David Michael at an annual salary of $1 as a Customer Relations Specialist. I would challenge the WSF administration to do just that, but I don’t think they have the courage – after all, those twenty complainants must represent a pretty powerful and righteous lobby!
Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Article comment by:
Tim Rondeau
There must be some way or some clause in a law somewhere that would allow the harpist to obtain a permit and legally sell his music. I love to fish and you can not even go down and fish from the ferry docks. Quite a tricky situation. Thank You.Tim
Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Article comment by:
Bob Sygiel
As a visitor to Port Townsend my wife and I were fortunate enough to witness the fine harp music of Mr. Michael. It made our ferry crossing that much more romantic and we are saddened by the news of his dilemna. This would be a loss for us all. Bob and Carole Sygiel
Posted: Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Article comment by:
Artis the Spoonman
Well Now! Hi Y'all,
It has been 6/7 years, maybe a bit less, since I've written. I feel nostalgic.
David Michael. Imagine, David is causing all this stir over busking, not the Spoonman. That is phenomenal. David is so, how you say, inobtrusive. The Spoonman is always a disturbance. Unlike David's meager 17 years, I've been busking, to survive, for 33 years. I've been in and around Seattle, P.T. vicinity since 1949, born 5 months earlier in Kodiak. I've played the ferries in the 70s and 80s, even a time or two in the 90s. That's right, banging spoons. Google Artis the Spoonman for more credentials. This WSF confrontation is an insidious test of the ongoing acceptance of our governing faction's tremendous ability to oppress and be embraced by its own victims/citizens. You think I exaggerate? Excuse me?! Who cares about the sales of a sugar donut, a cup of coffee, or a slice of some chicken, raised without feathers in a cage 2" in each direction, larger than the poor foul's own body, anyway?
Remeber the year? It's 2007, so think/say the Christians. How many of you read Hesse? We're talking ferrying the peops where there is no bridge, and one out of (excuse me) millions and millions, of a character who, with a common sense of civil service and survival, along with a mind to educate, is told to jump overboard? And we're so proud to be Americans. The oppression of this country is becoming conspicuous. Consequently, I have to go along with the trend, David. Suffer, sucker. In order for this great Stepford Sound community, from Vashon Island to Keystone, to WAKE UP, you (and I) are expendable and must be dealt with forthwith.
See you under the freeway, someday. I'll bring the spoons, you bring the soup fixins. Good luck, David.
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